Territory



(No Model.)

C. W. GOURTNBY.

GAB. GOUPLING.

No. 406,884. Patented July 16, 1889.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

CYRIIS WILLIAM' COURTNEY, OF BLISS, IDAIIO TERRITORY.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 406,884, dated July 16, 1889.

Application filed May 15, 1889.

To all whom t may concern:

Be itknown that I, Cvnus WILLIAM COURT- NEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bliss, in the county of Alturas and Territory of Idaho, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in CarCouplers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and ex act description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to Inake and use the sa1ne,refer ence being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and iigures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in car-couplers; and it has for its objects, generally, to improve upon the construction and render more efficient in operation that class of couplers in which it is designed that the ears shall be automatically coupled.

To these ends and to such others as the invention may pertain the same consists in the peculiar combinations and in the novel construction, arrangement, and adaptation of parts, all as Inore fully hereinafter described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and then specifically dened in the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters oi' reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, like letters of reference indicating like parts throughout the several views, and in which drawings- Figure l is a side elevation of a ear-coupler constructed in accordance'with myinvention, in which ligure the coupling-pin is shown as held in readiness for coupling'. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the same. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the coupling-lilik as held in place by the coupling-pin. Fig. a is a perspective view of the coupling-pin detached. Fig. 5 is a similar view of the coupling-link.

Reference now being had to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates the drawhead, carrying at its outer end the bumper B, provided with the usual opening B for the rccep tion of the coupling-link B2. The draw-head is provided with a longitudinal chamber C, open at its upper side, as shown, and provided Serial No. 310,904. (No model.)

in the lower portion of its rear end with the rectangular longitudinal extension or chainber C', which chamber extends a considerable distance toward the rear end of the draw-head and is designed to receive the coiled spring C2.

D is a block or slide, one end of which is rounded, as shown at u, and is adapted to be fitted within the said spring. The central portion D is square in cross-section and is of less diameter than the enlarged free end of the slide.

D2 is a transverse slot or opening extending through the portion D' 'from side to side, the length of this slot being preferably about twothirds the entire length of the portion D', as shown. This slot D2 is designed to receive a transverse pin D3, passed through the drawhead, which pin serves to limit the movement of the slide, as will be readily understood.

E is a Ilat spring, the rear end of which is secured to the upper face of the slide D, and the spring is extended toward the front end of the slide, and is bent upward at right angies to the body of t-he spring at a point adjacent to its free end, thus forming the vertical portion E. When in its normal position the spring E has its free end raised ata slight angle to the direction of the body of the slide to which it is attached.

E2 is a cross bar or pin, which extends horizontally through the chamber C Within the draw-head directly above and with its lower face bearing upon the upper face of the spring E. The front end of the slide is enlarged and is square in cross-section, being oit' a width sufficient to permit it to be I noved freely within the chamber without permitting lateral movement.

lVithin the upper portion of the chamber C is secured the block F, the upper face of which block is, when in position, flush with the upper face of the draw-head. This block is provided with a central longitudinal opening or chamber F', opening at the end of the block, as shown, and a vertical opening F2 is provided adjacent to the free end of the said block for the passage of the coupling-pin F3.

G is a vertical slot a short distance to the rear of the opening F2, for a purpose which will presently appear.

\Vithin the central chamber F is placed IOO the spiral spring G, within which spring is placed the rear portion of the slide G2, the front end of which spring is adapted to boar against the shoulder l) at the rear end of the enlarged portion G3 of the slide.

H is a narrow triangular casting, which is provided at its forward end with a vertical arm or extension H. This vertical extension is adapted to be passed through the enlarged portion G2, while the triangular portion of the casting is adapted to be moved longitudinally within a slot in the lower face of the block. It will be seen that by this construction the movement of the spring-actuated slide G2 will be regulated by reason of the engagement or contact of the arm I-I with ltheends of the slot G. The free end of the slide G2 is provided with a rounded portion or pin G4, adapted to enter a hole in the coupling-pin near its lower end, and thus retain the same in position for coupling.

The upper portion of the arm H may be provided with a suitable handle H2, which is secured thereto in any suitable manner-as, vfor instance, by a pin passed therethrough, as

shown.

The coupling-link B2 is provided at one of its ends with a square opening B2, for the passage of one of the coupling-pins, and with an elongated slot or opening H4, for the reception of the link upon the adjacent car.

The operation of the device is simple and will be readily understood. It being desired to couple two adjacent cars, the coupling-pin is inserted in the hole F2, the slide G having been moved backward by means of its conn ecting-handle, and by releasing this slide the pin G4 enters the hole in the couplingpin, and thus prevents the pin from falling until released by the withdrawal-of the pin. The coupling-link upon the carto be coupled enters the opening B in the bumper and contacts with the end of the slide D, forcing the same backward against the tension of the spring C2. In said backward movement of the slide the spring E is depressed in passing beneath the bar E2, and releasing the vertical portion E from its engagement with the triangular casting H, after ,having moved said casting and its connecting-slide G2 back a sufficient distance to release the coupling-pin, and the pin is thus permitted to drop into place, securing the link within the draw-head.

In order to provide against injury to the parts by the sudden contact of the cars 1n coupling, I have made the rear end of the draw-head round, as shown, and have provided a heavy spirall spring J, surrounding the same, the rear end of which spring bears against the beam K, and this spring will sustain the shock imparted in coupling the cars, Y

as will be, understood.

It is evident that any of the various devices used in coupling from the roof or sides of the car may be employed in connection with this coupling device.

What I 'claim to be new isl. In an automatic car-coupler, the combination, with the draw-head and coupling-pin havingan opening near its lower end, of a spring-actuated slide adapted to enter the hole in 'the coupling-pin and prevent the same from falling Within the opening in the draw-head, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination, with the draw-head, the coupling-pin having an opening therethrough near its lower end, the spring-actuated slide engaging said opening, and the casting H, connected with said slide, of a spring-actuated slide within the draw-head adapted to engage the casting H and move the same backward to release the slide connected with said casting from its engagement with the coupling-pin, substantially as shown and described, and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CYRUS WILLIAM COURTNEY.

NVitnesses:

AUG. M. SINNoTr, THOMAS PLUNKETT. 

